PSNI investigates possible Covid-19 rule breaches at republican funeral

The PSNI has said it is “making inquiries” and “reviewing evidence” about possible breaches of coronavirus rules following a republican funeral held last week.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Oct 2020, 18:07 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2020, 19:07 BST
The PSNI said they were ‘making inquiries’The PSNI said they were ‘making inquiries’
The PSNI said they were ‘making inquiries’

A funeral was held on Thursday for Hugh Fitzsimons, who was described in a statement by the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association as “former volunteer, lifelong republican and ex blanketman”.

A spokesperson said: “Police are making inquiries regarding potential breaches of Health Protection (Coronavirus Regulations Northern Ireland) Regulations, during a funeral service held in west Belfast on October 22.”

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The PSNI spokesperson said police had also “gathered evidence” at “a burial service in Lisburn on October 22 and that police are now reviewing this to “determine any breaches” of the same health protection legislation.

This comes after widespread condemnation following the funeral for veteran IRA figure Bobby Storey on June 30, when widespread breaches of social distancing occurred and the attendance of senior Sinn Fein figures attracted controversy.